Children in Entertainment

Does my child need a Performance Licence?

A Child Performance Licence must be obtained for all children, from babies until they cease to be of compulsory school age, from Children's Services in which they live, to take part in a performance in either:

• Theatre – where a charge is made
• Modelling & Sport – where the child or any other person is paid (this is not an admission charge but a ‘wage’)
• Licensed premises

Exemptions

The child has not performed more than 4 days in the 6 months preceding (and including) the date of the first performance being applied for;

and they do not require time off school (paid or unpaid);

or the performance is under arrangements made with school or a Body of Persons exemptions can be granted by Children's Services or Secretary of State if certain criteria are met);

and no payment is made to the child or any person, except for defraying expenses.

Child Performance Notification

If a Child Performance Licence is not required we still request that the organiser of the performance/show register all children taking part. This allows us to keep a register of all Worcestershire children taking part in a performance. Even if a licence is not required most of the rules and regulations still apply.

Licensing

There are several variations within the regulations between broadcast (TV/filming/radio) and non-broadcast (theatre) performances, for example: performance hours are different for broadcast and non-broadcast performances. See schedule of permitted hours  (22.98 KB).

Medical certificates are required for all broadcast and recorded performances but may not be necessary for non-broadcast performances i.e. depends upon how many consecutive days a child performs in the theatre.

Performance

The licence applicant is the person responsible for the production in which the child is to take part. This does not include the proprietor of a drama or dancing school or other person (such as an agent) who provides children for a production but does not themselves present it. The holder of the licence is the person who is responsible for observing the restrictions and conditions subject to which the licence is granted.

Sporting Activity or Modelling

The licence applicant is the person responsible for the organisation of the sporting event or the person who proposes to engage the child as a model.

Performance Licence Application Form

Please download  (65.67 KB), complete, and return this pdf to the address below:
School Report and Authorisation of Absence Request Form  (32.00 KB)

Alternatively, copies can be obtained from:-

Education Welfare Service
Bewdley Road
Kidderminster
Worcestershire
DY11 6RQ

Tel: (01562 757653 \ 757651 \ 757652)
Fax: (01562 825034)

The application form should be returned at least 21 days before the start of the first performance.

The licence applicant is required to complete Part 1 of the licence application form and the parent must complete Part 2. Part 3 must be signed by the Head Teacher if absence from school is requested. All three parts together with documentation should be returned to the address above.

Chaperones (Matrons)

Children must be in the care of either their parent (the child’s legal guardian) or an approved matron at all times. Note: grandparents, uncles, childminders etc. are NOT legal guardians (unless they are recognised as such by the courts) and therefore need to be approved in order to be the chaperone. Parents, unless they are approved chaperones, cannot be responsible for children other than their own. See protocol for chaperone/matron approval.  (28.70 KB)

Inspections – Powers of Entry

An authorised officer of the LA or police officer may under a magistrate’s warrant enter any place where there is reasonable cause to believe that employment is taking place or a person is believed to be taking part in a performance or being trained for dangerous performances contrary to the provisions of the Act and make enquiries about that person.

An authorised officer of Children's Services or a police officer may also – without a warrant, at any time enter any place used as a broadcasting studio or film studio or used for the recording of a performance with a view to its use in a broadcast or in a film intended for public exhibition, and make enquiries about any children taking part in performances.

At any time during the currency of the licence granted under S.37 or relating to training for dangerous performances enter any premises where the performance or training is authorised to take place, and make enquiries about the person to whom the licence relates.

The licence holder (applicant) must hold individual licences for each child in their care at the place of performance. An inspecting Children's Services Officer will wish to check each child’s licence together with their record sheets, which should detail things as: arrival/departure/tutoring and performing times throughout the production for which the licence was issued. Inspectors may also want to talk to the children, matrons, parents and the applicant.

Legislation

Children & Young Persons ACT 1933 & 1963

Children (Performances) Regulations 1968

The Children (Performances) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1998 (1)

The Children (Performances) Amendment Regulations 2000

The Children (Performances) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2000

Statutory Instruments 1968 No. 1728, 1998 No. 1678, 2000 No. 10 & No. 2384

For further in formation about Children in Entertainment, or about becoming a chaperone (matron) please contact:

Child Employment Entertainment Office
Child Performance Licensing
Education Welfare Service
Worcestershire

01562 757653 \ 757651 \ 757652